INFLUENCE OF CHROMOLAENA ODORATA L. ON SOIL MOISTURE, SOIL TEMPERATURE, AND MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) GROWTH IN WEST-CENTRAL CÔTE D’IVOIRE.

Maize (Zea mays L.) production in Côte d’Ivoire is limited by declining soil quality and irregular water availability. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of Chromolaena odorata L. biomass, applied alone or in combination with mineral NPK fertilizer, on soil temperature, soil moisture, and maize vegetative growth in the Centre-West region of Côte d’Ivoire. A randomized complete block design was used with four treatments: C. odorata biomass (CO), C. odorata + NPK (CO+NPK), NPK alone, and a Control, with four replicates. Soil temperature and moisture were monitored, while plant height and stem collar diameter were measured during maize development. C. odorata-based treatments significantly improved soil hydrothermal conditions and maize growth (P < 0.001). Mean soil moisture reached 36.93% under CO and 37.69% under CO+NPK, compared with 30.11% under Control and 30.05% under NPK. At 46 days after sowing, CO+NPK produced the greatest plant height (114.54 cm) and stem collar diameter (21.02 mm). These results suggest that combining C. odorata biomass with NPK may improve soil moisture conditions and maize growth.